Entertainment Arts Fashion and Technology

Organized by Greater West LA Chamber of Commerce, Four Legged Friends Foundation and Ashley Hope Fund.

Animal adoptions by LA Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society, Bark Avenue Foundation and The Rescue Train.

Four Legged Friends Foundation was launched in 2005 to promote public awareness of the valuable human-pet relationship. Their Another Sunny Day Fund helps financially hardship families with their veterinary care so money doesn’t stop a pet from getting the care it needs.

Golden Globe(R) Nominee Tom Cavanagh ('Ed'), Amy Davidson ('8 Simple Rules'), and Emmy(R) Nominee Sharon Lawrence ('NYPD Blue') Star in the First Ever Lifetime Movie Network Original Miniseries, 'The Capture Of The Green River Killer,' Which Tells the Inspiring True Story of the 20-Year Search for the Most Prolific Serial Killer in United States History

- Two-Part Miniseries Based on the Book, 'Chasing the Devil,' by Then Lead Detective and Now United States Representative David Reichert -

-- He was one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history, admitting to the murder of 48 women from the Seattle area between 1982 and 1998. He lived a double life, eluding a massive search and investigation for 20 years. Predator by night, but functioning citizen by day, he was the Green River Killer. Now, in the first original miniseries on Lifetime Movie Network -- Lifetime's sister network and the second highest rated women's network -- "The Capture of the Green River Killer" follows the dogged determination of one persistent, nearly obsessive Washington State detective, Dave Reichert (Tom Cavanagh, "Ed"). Detective Reichert used guile, wits and perseverance to hunt the murderer, bringing an end to the largest unsolved serial killer case in the country, and in doing so, helped provide much needed closure to the victims' families. Part One of "The Capture of the Green River Killer" premieres Sunday, March 30 and Part Two on Monday, March 31, both at 8PM (ET/PT) on Lifetime Movie Network.

"I am honored that my book and story are coming to the screen as Lifetime Movie Network's first original miniseries," said Congressman Reichert. "On behalf of all of the men and women in law enforcement that helped to put the Green River Killer behind bars -- and in memory of all of the victims and families -- I look forward to this moving film premiering in March."

"The quality of the script and the caliber of the producers and cast were a perfect fit for this project to be the first original miniseries in Lifetime Movie Network's history," added Louise Henry Bryson, President, Distribution, Lifetime Networks, and Executive Vice President/General Manager, Lifetime Movie Network. "Our loyal viewers have made Lifetime Movie Network the #2 highest rated cable channel for women, second only to Lifetime, because they are avid movie fans. This first-ever miniseries event, bringing to life a compelling and emotional true story, will give women even more to love."

Told through the eyes of one young runaway, Helen "Hel" Remus (Amy Davidson), "The Capture of the Green River Killer" is the haunting tale of how fate, bad luck and bad choices lead to her encounter with the notorious serial killer. The miniseries begins with teenagers and close friends Helen & Natalie (Jessica Harmon), as they try to escape from their rough existence from a Seattle trailer park. Unbeknownst to them, the two teens are on a collision course with the Green River Killer, who targets runaways and prostitutes. Simultaneously, police detective David Reichert is relentlessly hunting the killer, chasing down leads and suspects. Desperate for a break in the case, Reichert consults with convicted serial killer Ted Bundy (James Marsters, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), who offers insights into the mind of the Green River Killer. Meanwhile, a desperate Helen decides to turn to prostitution to get away from her mother's (Sharon Lawrence, "NYPD Blue") abusive boyfriend. At the end of Part One, the unknowing Helen and the Green River Killer cross paths.

Part Two chronicles Helen's disappearance and Reichert's tireless search for her and countless other victims. The investigation spans nearly 20 years, causing serious strain on Reichert's marriage and nearly consuming Reichert himself. While many officers would have given up, Reichert stays the course during the entire manhunt, enduring critical press headlines, police department shakedowns, FBI territorial "turf" battles and false confessions. With no clues forthcoming, the final breakthrough amazingly comes from another chilling meeting, behind bars, between Reichert and Bundy. Over the course of night two, Reichert is finally able to zero in on truck painter Gary Ridgway (John Pielmeier), a sociopath with an amazing ability to pass polygraph tests, but whom DNA and fiber evidence would later conclusively prove to be the Green River Killer.

"The Capture of the Green River Killer" is produced by Once Upon a Time Films for Lifetime Movie Network. Emmy(R) winner Stanley M. Brooks ("Broken Trail") and John Pielmeier ("Sins of the Father," Lifetime's "The Memory Keeper's Daughter") serve as executive producers. Juliette Hagopian ("Holiday Switch") and Emmy(R) winner Damian Ganczewski ("Broken Trail") produced the movie. Norma Bailey ("Ladies Night") directed the movie from a script written by Pielmeier. The script for "The Capture of the Green River Killer" is based on the book Chasing the Devil: My Twenty-Year Quest to Capture the Green River Killer by David Reichert.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Source: Lifetime

http://www.mylifetime.com/

Get Ready for The Biggest SpongeBob Yet!

NICKELODEON AND MALL OF AMERICA ADD 30-FOOT TALL SPONGEBOB SCULPTURE TO NICKELODEON-THEMED AMUSEMENT PARK

-- At the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, amid the construction bringing Nickelodeon Universe to life, a 30-foot SpongeBob SquarePants sculpture will be installed at the entrance to the new ride, SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge. Local Minnesota manufacture TivoliToo Inc. created the giant 3-D sculpture.

Only three weeks away, the grand opening of Nickelodeon Universe promises to offer family fun and excitement as 20 new rides whirl in motion. Among the new Nickelodeon-themed rides being added to the seven-acre, indoor theme park include: the Avatar Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge roller coasters; Splat-O-Sphere vertical drop; Rugrats Raptarmobiles bumper cars; and Blue's Skidoo, based on the preschool hit Blue's Clues, where kids can fly through the air in character-themed planes. The two new thrill rides, SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge and Avatar Airbender, are the first rides of their kind to be built inside a mall.

Nickelodeon Universe marks the first-ever, stand-alone Nickelodeon theme park in the world. More than 4,400 hours of labor from PCL Construction has gone into Nickelodeon Universe to install the new, branded rides. Construction on Nickelodeon Universe is environmentally conscious, with nearly 85 percent of the construction demolition being recycled; totaling 2,179 tons of material or 5,000 cubic yards.

Nickelodeon Universe will feature new rides, live shows, attractions, retail, games and entertainment based on the network's top-ranking network properties including: SpongeBob SquarePants; Dora the Explorer; Go, Diego, Go!; Avatar: The Last Airbender; Danny Phantom; Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius; The Backyardigans; and many more. Daily meet-and-greets with Nick costumed characters will also be a highlight when visiting Nickelodeon Universe. Nickelodeon will also establish its largest retail presence in the world at Mall of America, with a Nick store occupying more than 4,000 square foot space, offering consumers items such as branded tee-shirts, souvenirs, novelties and more.

The Grand Opening of Nickelodeon Universe takes place at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, March 15, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.theparkatmoa.com/.

About Mall of America

Mall of America is the nation's largest retail and entertainment complex. The 4.2 million square foot complex is home to more than 520 world-class shops; the nation's largest indoor family amusement park; Underwater Adventures, a 1.2 million gallon walk-though aquarium; a 14-screen movie theater and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. For more information visit http://www.mallofamerica.com/.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon Recreation began in 1990 and since has grown to include a diverse range of complex and specialized business segments including hotel resorts, touring family theatricals and theme park attractions.

Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 96 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 13 consecutive years.

Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

Source: Mall of America

Web site: http://www.mallofamerica.com/
http://www.theparkatmoa.com/

Choreographer/Actor Cris Judd ('Unfabulous'), Tony(R) Award Winner Ben Vereen ('Pippin') and Singer/Actress Vitamin C ('The Amanda Show') Named as Judges of Lifetime's Dance Competition Series, 'Your Mama Don't Dance,' Premiering Friday, February 29

-- Choreographer/actor Cris Judd ("Unfabulous), Tony(R) Award-winning actor/dancer Ben Vereen ("Pippin") and singer/actress Vitamin C ("The Amanda Show") will serve as the judges in Lifetime's first-ever dance competition series, "Your Mama Don't Dance." The show teams young professional dancers with one of their parents as they compete for $100,000 in cash and prizes and premieres Friday, February 29, at 9PM (ET/PT). The eight week series is hosted by Ian Ziering ("Dancing with the Stars," "Beverly Hills, 90210").

"Your Mama Don't Dance" takes the typical "dance show" to a whole new level by exploring the sometimes love-hate but always complicated relationship between kids and their parents. Some of America's hottest dancers auditioned for a chance to be a part of a new dance competition show under the pseudonym "Dance Nation," but none had any idea what was in store. On January 26, 2008, contestants gathered at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles where they soon discovered shocking news -- that they would be competing with a partner and that their partner would be one of their parents!

Now, these up-and-coming dancers will be counting on their parents to learn the moves to help them realize their dreams, while their parents will undoubtedly feel the pressure to work harder than ever to keep in step and not let their kids down. Each week the judges will put the two lowest-rated teams on the chopping block, then it's up to America to determine which team stays in the competition via phone, text and online votes on myLifetime.com, as monitored by the firm, Telescope Inc. The competition concludes Friday, April 18th in a live finale extravaganza where three teams face off in front of the judges and America one final time. The winning team will be announced at the end of the show following a live vote.

Cris Judd is a well known dancer, choreographer and actor. He most recently guest-starred on the Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous" with Emma Roberts and appeared on episodes of "Eve," "Half and Half" and "Everybody Loves Raymond." He made his television debut on the ABC reality series, "I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out of Here," where he won the title of 'King of the Jungle' and $200,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He was also host of the WE dance series, "Dirty Dancing." Judd made an acting cameo in the film, "Bringing Down the House" and served as the choreographer for Steve Martin in his dance scenes. Judd also coached Nicole Kidman her dancing scenes for "The Human Stain."

Ben Vereen is a Tony(R) Award-winning actor, dancer and singer. Nominated for a Tony for his role in "Jesus Christ Superstar," Vereen won the award for his lead role in "Pippin." He's since starred on Broadway's "I'm Not Rappaport," "Fosse," "Chicago," and as the Wizard of Oz in Broadway's "Wicked." Vereen is also a three-time Emmy(R) nominee for his work on "Roots," "The Bell Telephone Jubilee" and "Intruders." His additional television credits include "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Touched By An Angel" and "Law & Order: SVU" and "Grey's Anatomy." He is also a two-time Golden Globe(R) nominee for his work in "Ellis Island" and "Funny Lady."

Vitamin C is an actress and singer, best known for her massive hit single "Graduation (Friends Forever)." In addition to working on her third album, she recently assembled a singing group "The Truth Squad." Vitamin C's television credits include judging The WB series, "Superstar USA," appearing on MTV's "The Andy Dick Show," and "Celebrity Bootcamp." She also made cameos on "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," "The Brothers Garcia," "The Amanda Show" and "The Sausage Factory." Her film credits include John Waters' 1988 feature "Hairspray," "The Naked Gun 2-1/2: The Smell of Fear," "Dracula 2000," "Rock Star," "Get Over It" and "Scary Movie 2."

"Your Mama Don't Dance" is produced by City Lights Television in association with Bob Bain Productions for Lifetime Television. Bob Bain ("Billboard Music Awards," "Miss America," "Kid's Choice Awards"), Dave Noll and Linda Lea ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy") serve as executive producers. Stephanie Chambers ("Bam's Unholy Union") is co-executive producer and Nate Green ("Dance Life") is supervising producer.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Source: Lifetime

Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/
http://mylifetime.com/

-- This year's Oscar Red Carpet shined as many stars arrived wearing DAMIANI diamond jewelry on Sunday, February 24th for the 80th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony. DAMIANI, the leading Italian fine jewelry house, recipient of an unprecedented eighteen Diamonds International Awards, is recognized all over the world. Many of DAMIANI's loyal fans chose to dazzle themselves in precious jewels from DAMIANI's Masterpiece Collection for the big night.

Scottish actress Tilda Swinton, winner in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category for her performance in "Michael Clayton", wore the one-of-a-kind, award winning Sahara bracelet and a Mimosa ring. The Sahara bracelet, which evokes the dunes of the desert, is crafted by hand in 18 Kt. white gold and has 1865 diamonds totaling 47.41 carats. The Mimosa ring is made in 18 Kt. white gold and has 4.21 carats of diamonds.

Julie Quinn, wife of Francesco Quinn who stars in "The Tonto Woman", a film nominated in the Short Live Action Film category, chose to wear the La vie en rose collection -- a colorful burst of diamonds, amethysts, citrines and tourmalines. Sandra Barber, wife of "The Tonto Woman" director Daniel Barber, wore the Vulcania collection, which represents the strength of a volcano in eruption -- the necklace has 27.51 cts. of white, yellow and cognac diamonds. Bianca Maria Rizzo, fiancee of Andrea Jublin, director of "Il Supplente" (The Substitute) also nominated in the Short Live Action Film category, chose the magnificent Cosmos necklace in white gold and 4.52 cts. of diamonds. Vera Steinbergh, a member of the team nominated for Achievement in Makeup for the film "Norbit", wore an impressive necklace and earrings in white gold and 11.2 and 6.69 carats of diamonds respectively.

DAMIANI is also the jeweler of choice to television personalities covering the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Senior fashion reporter, Amanda Lutrell-Garrigus and E! correspondent Ashlan Gorse of E! Entertainment's Countdown to the Red Carpet, reported live from the Red Carpet wearing DAMIANI jewels. Amanda Lutrell-Garrigus wore the Juliette ring, 1.82 cts. of diamonds, and Sunset Boulevard earrings -- a dazzling 10.38 cts. of diamonds. Ashlan Gorse wore the spectacular Bonheur earrings in white gold and 10.13 cts. of diamonds. Fellow E! correspondent Jason Kennedy was also styled in DAMIANI for E! Entertainment's After Party post show. Jason Kennedy's elegant tux was complemented with white gold diamond cufflinks. Mexican actress Paola Nunez, special correspondent from TV Azteca network, looked stunning in DAMIANI's Juliette collection.

DAMIANI's presence throughout this year's Academy Awards did not end at the Kodak Theatre, as Sharon Stone, a loyal fan of the DAMIANI house, accessorized her striking beauty covered in DAMIANI diamonds at the Elton John party in West Hollywood. Sharon Stone wore stunning bracelets and rings of the Gomitolo collection.

Founded in 1924, DAMIANI remains Italy's leading fine jewelry house, known for its exquisite designs, quality and long tradition of craftsmanship. These qualities combined are what have made DAMIANI the jewelry of choice to stars around the world and proved true once again at the 80th Annual Academy Awards.

Source: DAMIANI

iTunes Now Number Two Music Retailer in the US

-- Apple(R) today announced that iTunes(R) (http://www.itunes.com/) is now the number two music retailer in the US, behind only Wal-Mart, based on the latest data from the NPD Group*. Apple also announced that there are now over 50 million iTunes Store customers. iTunes has sold over four billion songs, with an incredible 20 million songs sold on Christmas Day 2007 alone, and offers the world's largest music catalog of over six million songs from all of the majors and thousands of independent labels.

"We'd like to thank the over 50 million music lovers who have helped the iTunes Store reach this incredible milestone," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We continue to add great new features like iTunes Movie Rentals to give our customers even more reason to love iTunes."

Last month, Apple launched iTunes Movie Rentals featuring movies from all of the major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and New Line Cinema. Users can rent movies and watch them on their PCs or Macs, all current generation iPods**, iPhone(TM) and on a widescreen TV with Apple TV(R). iTunes Movie Rentals will offer over 1,000 titles by the end of this month, including over 100 titles in stunning high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound which users can rent directly from their widescreen TV using Apple TV.

iTunes 7.6 is available as a free download at http://www.itunes.com/. iTunes Movie Rentals are available in the US only and are $2.99 (US) for library titles and $3.99 (US) for new releases, and high definition versions are priced just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 (US) and new releases at $4.99 (US). Movie rentals from the iTunes Store for Mac(R) or Windows require iTunes 7.6. iTunes Movie Rentals require a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase.

*Based on data from market research firm the NPD Group's MusicWatch survey that captures consumer reported past week unit purchases and counts one CD representing 12 tracks, excluding wireless transactions. The iTunes Music Store became the second-largest music retailer in the US after Wal-Mart, based on the amount of music sold during 2007.

**Movie rentals work on iPod(R) classic, iPod nano with video and iPod touch.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh, iTunes, iPhone, Apple TV and iPod are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Apple Inc.

Web site: http://www.apple.com/
http://www.itunes.com/

Playboy Mobile Launches National Model Search: 'Miss Playboy Mobile 2008'

-- Playboy Mobile recently announced its 2008 strategy for extending the Playboy brand to a broader audience via its newest mobile initiative -- the inaugural "Miss Playboy Mobile 2008" model search. Harnessing the power of the online community and coupling it with the millions of mobile-phone users nationwide, Playboy Mobile will invite sophisticated, sexy women to register and build online profiles in their quest to be crowned Miss Playboy Mobile 2008. Visitors to the online and mobile sites can view the beautiful candidates and then vote for their favorite -- bringing her closer to the 2008 crown, a $5,000 cash-prize, and a professional photo-shoot at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Voters must cast their ballots via mobile phones.

"We are very excited about the inaugural Miss Playboy Mobile search, one of many new mobile initiatives we are launching this year," stated Edward Lang, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Mobile and International Online, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. "This campaign is entirely consumer-driven -- from submissions to voting -- and we designed it specifically to reflect the fun and sexy lifestyle shared by Playboy fans and mobile consumers. We look forward to crowning our first winner on April 2 in Las Vegas, home of the Playboy Club, as well as the site of the CTIA Wireless Association Convention."

To enter this nationwide search, women 18 years and older can register and submit their photos for initial voting on http://www.mspbm.com/. Round-One voting recently began, and concludes on March 15. Voting on the finalists will extend from March 16 through March 31, after which all ten will be flown to Las Vegas. The winner will be crowned "Miss Playboy Mobile 2008" at a VIP celebration at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino Resort on April 2, during CTIA.

Fans may view the entrants at http://www.mspbm.com/ or Playboy Mobile's WAP site (wap.playboy.com), and then text their favorite contestants' ID number to the Miss Playboy Mobile short code 67000. There is no fee for voting, but normal text-messaging rates may apply. For official rules, please visit http://www.mspbm.com/.

About the Playboy Entertainment Group:

The Playboy Entertainment Group is a division of Playboy Enterprises, Inc., and consists of several units: Playboy TV, Playboy Home Entertainment, Playboy Radio, Playboy Online, and Playboy Mobile. The Playboy Entertainment Group produces approximately 1,500 hours of original programming annually in a range of genres distributed to consumers through each respective unit.

Source: Playboy Entertainment Group

Autodesk Applauds 80th Annual Academy Award Winners and Nominees

-- The 80th Annual Academy Awards mark the thirteenth consecutive year that all films in the Best Visual Effects category were shaped with Autodesk, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ADSK) technology. Autodesk congratulates Framestore CFC and Rhythm & Hues for its Academy Award-winning work on the Best Visual Effects winner, The Golden Compass.

Autodesk also congratulates Industrial Light & Magic, Asylum, Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Pictures Imageworks, Rhythm & Hues, EFILM and Deluxe Digital London for their work on the following Academy Award-nominated films: Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Surf's Up, No Country for Old Men, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and Atonement.

"An Academy Award marks the pinnacle of excellence in the motion picture industry, and we offer our sincere congratulations to all the talented nominees and winners for their spectacular contribution to the elite roster of 2007 Oscar nominated films," said Marc Petit, Autodesk's Media & Entertainment senior vice president. "It gives us great pride that filmmakers rely on Autodesk technology as part of their creative toolset."

The Golden Compass

Best Visual Effects award-winner Framestore CFC used Autodesk Maya 3D modeling, animation and rendering software and the Inferno visual effects system to shape The Golden Compass. "Autodesk Maya was used as part of our visual effects pipeline, to create and light all the challenging polar environments, ice and snow shots in the film," said Laurent Hugueniot, Framestore CFC's computer graphics supervisor. The facility also used Maya to build and animate all shots of a massive armored polar bear, one of the film's heroes. "Maya, with its wide-reaching flexibility, has always been a terrific package for us, easily and efficiently enabling integration of our in-house tools and other packages in our pipeline," added Hugueniot.

Rhythm & Hues used Maya for modeling the hero daemon characters for The Golden Compass, including Pan, the Golden Monkey and Stelmaria.

Surf's Up

In the Best Animated Film category from Sony Pictures Animation, artists at Sony Pictures Imageworks used the Autodesk Lustre color grading system for the final grade of nominated film Surf's Up. As well, Maya was used extensively to create the complex final water animation sequence. The film was directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck, produced by Christopher Jenkins and co-produced by Lydia Bottegoni.

"It was necessary to develop animation rigs and tools that could produce physically accurate water motion, which could at the same time be intricately directed and art directed," explained John Clark, lead wave animator on Surf's Up. "The Maya software's extensibility made the process flow smoothly, providing the riggers with a platform to develop a unique character rig for the waves, and providing the animators with a high performance animation and layout environment."

By leveraging the power of Maya Embedded Language (MEL), Python and the API scripting functionality in Maya, the team at Imageworks customized the Maya software to overcome many of the film's challenges. David Schaub, senior animation supervisor on the film, commented, "We never have the question, 'Well, can the software do that?' Because if it doesn't, the way Maya is built allows us to create a tool that will do the job."

Autodesk technology was also used to shape Oscar-winning and Oscar- nominated films in the following categories:

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Flame, Incinerator, Inferno, Lustre, Maya, Smoke, and Toxik are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. and/or Autodesk Canada Co. in the USA and/or other countries. Oscar and Academy Award are registered trademarks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

Source: Autodesk, Inc.

Web site: http://www.autodesk.com/

Los Angeles - On Oscar © Sunday February 24th, 2008 the Beverly Hills Hotel's Crystal Ballroom will once again provide the venue for the arrival of approximately 150-200 Academy stars who will attend the hottest celebrity Awards party in town with even bigger names than last year-
- Announcing The 18th Annual Night of 100 Stars Black Tie Dinner Viewing Gala.

Norby Walters, veteran music agent, reprises his role as Producer and Dinner Chairman. " Strike or not, the show must go on," says Walters.

The formal sit-down dinner Awards viewing party has always included past Oscar winners and nominees who will return to pay tribute to this year's favorite Award nominees. Stars and their guests will be dressed to the nines in Formal fashions represented by the nations finest design houses. The celebrity gift bag this year will include products and services valued to $15,000.

The media has always rated the Night of 100 Stars as one of the top Award parties. The Daily News rated this party as "...the number one Oscar party, just for the sheer number of celebrities attending...".  ABC's Good Morning America covers this party and said. " Voting Academy members flock to the Night of 100 Stars and we are here tonight with last year's winners Peter Fonda and Martin Landau  along with Tom Arnold,  Anna Nicole Smith, and the cast of the West Wing. Is this an Oscar party or the Golden Globes?" The Jimmy Kimmel Show tapes segments for the show and said, " ...a wild party with mostly celebrities and they are everywhere you look". The Hollywood Reporter says, " Numerous former Academy Award winners and nominees turned out Sunday during the Night of 100 Stars Oscar Gala..including (150 stars) Richard Dreyfuss, Martin Landau, Fred Willard, James Cromwell...."

RSVP 2008 Celebrity List to Follow - A Partial List of 2007 Attendees: 
Sean Astin, Paula Abdul, Joan Collins, Ali Landry, Krista Allen, Ed Asner, Jason Alexander, Powers Boothe, Daniel Baldwin, Delta Burke, Timothy Bushfield, Joe Bologna, Susan Blakely, John Corbet, Tia Carrere, Keith Carradine, James Cromwell, Stephen Collins,  Michael Chiklis, David Carradine, Joanna Cassidy, Richard Dreyfuss, Kevin Dillon, Lolita Davidovich, Robert Davi, Bruce Davison, Frances Fisher, Dave Foley, Peter Fonda, Jon Favreau, Joley Fisher, Robert Forster, Jeff Garlin, James Darren, Carla Gugino, Lou Gosset Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Dennis Hopper, Dule Hill, Cheryl Hines, Monty Hall, Harry Hamlin, Marilu Henner, Henry Jaglom, Ken Howard, Jack Klugman, Richard Karn, Martin Landau, Ron Livingston, Hal Linden, Richard Lewis, Sharon Lawrence, Michael Lerner, Matthew Modine, Chris McDonald, Camryn Manheim, Dylan McDermott, Jesse Metcalf, Ming Na, Judd Nelson, Kevin Nealon, Marisol Nichols of "24", Danielle Panabaker, Kevin Pollak, Stephanie Powers, Michelle Phillips, Lou Diamond Phillips, Freddie Rodriguez, Jason Ritter, Brande Roderick, Adam Rodriguez, Pat Richardson, George Segal, Fred Savage, John Schneider, Tony Shaloub, Kevin Sorbo, Rob Schneider, Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Tilly, Monica Potter(SawIV), A.J. Cook (Criminal Minds), Patrick Warburton, Robin Wiegert(Deadwood), Joe Pantoliono, Regina Taylor(The Unit), J.K. Simmons(Juno), Ed McMahon, Kelly LeBrock, and many many more expected.

 Almost 60 Academy Award Winners and Nominees have previously attended including: Jamie Fox, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Danny Aiello, Jennifer Tilly, Linda Blair, Michael Lerner, Sally Kirkland, Gary Busey, Bruce Davison, , Richard Dreyfuss, Cathy Moriarty, Kathleen Quinlan, Eric Roberts, Lynn Redgrave, Robert Forster,  Diane Ladd, Caroll Baker, Rip Torn, Charles Durning, Dean Stockwell, Robert Stack, Theodore Bikel, Don Murray, Cliff Robertson, William H. Macy, Samantha Eggar, Kevin McCarthy, Glynis Johns, Terry Moore, Burt Young, Karen Black, Eddie Albert, George Chakiris, James Cromwell, Red Buttons, Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Franciosa, Shirley Jones, Elliott Gould, Tony Curtis, Martin Landau, David Paymer, Robert Loggia, Rod Steiger, Brenda Vaccaro, Shirley Knight, James Whitmore, Shelly Winters, Pat Morita, Patricia Neal, Stuart Whitman, Carrie Snodgrass, Seymour Cassel, Lesley Ann Warren, Russ Tamblyn, Maximillian Schell, Sally Kellerman and Mickey Rooney.

The main sponsors for the 18th Annual Night of 100 Stars Gala® are: Bacchus-The #1 Energy Drink® in all of Asia, American Airlines®-the official airline of the Night of 100 Stars, and Tummy Tuck Jeans-Not Your Daughters Jeans®

The 18th Annual Night of 100 Stars Awards Gala Hosted by Norby Walters
The Beverly Hills Hotel International Ballroom
9641 Sunset Boulevard  Beverly Hills, CA  90210
Sunday February 24th 4:00 PM Arrivals begin

Tickets are $1,000 per seat.  Call for tickets only at 310-446-5416.


 

New York, NY: The sun shines in Metal as the two most influential brothers reunite after 10 years of silence. Max and Iggor Cavalera have formed the Cavalera Conspiracy and will release their first album INFLIKTED to the world March 25^th, 2008 on Roadrunner Records. “Cavalera Conspiracy is about a sense of being unleashed,” says vocalist/guitarist Max Cavalera. “You bottle a monster for 10 years and then let it out. It’s explosive, and we waited a long time for this beast to be set free.”

What all Sepultura fans have hoped and waited for finally happened on August 17^th 2006 in Tempe Arizona. Max and Iggor, the Cavalera brothers, finally reunited. Soulfly played a show in memory of Dana Wells (D-Low), the stepson of Max and son of Gloria Cavalera, whose death changed the life of the family forever. However, this brought back the force of friendship and family when Iggor Cavalera stepped on stage, almost in secret. He joined the band in the drum jam and in continuation he took a seat behind the drums. With the first sounds of “Attitude” the crowd realized who was keeping time behind Max and the band. They went wild. “Once we hit the first note, it felt like a bomb had dropped on stage,” exclaims Iggor. “From that moment on, I knew we needed to do something together musically.”

This amazingly phenomenal show will go down in every heavy metal encyclopedia as the historic moment when the brothers Cavalera joined forces again. “There was over 10 years of not seeing or talking to each other at all, which is a long ass time,” explains Max. That’s what made it more special when it did finally happen.

Cavalera Conspiracy consists of Max Cavalera (vocals/rhythm guitar), Iggor Cavalera (drums/percussion), Marc Rizzo (lead/rhythm guitars), and Joe Duplantier (bass). INFLIKTED is the long-awaited moment providing Metal a new era with the Cavalera Brothers. In the veins of Sepultura with a twist, the band turns back to heavier and darker material giving their fans exactly what they have been waiting for. Max’s vocals explodes onto the 11 tracks of INFLIKTED joined with the pounding of Iggor’s drum beats, Marc Rizzo’s shred slicing guitar and Joe Duplantier thumping bass lines. “When I listen to the album, it sounds old school, but new in its own way,” explains Iggor. “It’s a mix of both worlds.”

Recording took place this past July at Undercity Studios in Los Angeles, with Logan Mader (former Machine Head guitarist) and Lucas Banker of the Dirty Icon production team. Rex Brown (Pantera, Down) cameos on bass on Ultra-Violent, and Black Ark features a collaboration with Max, Joe and Richie Cavalera (Incite) all on vocals.

Tours dates for the Cavalera Conspiracy to be announced in spring. INFLIKTED is currently scheduled for release via Roadrunner Records internationally on March 24th and in North America on March 25th.

The tracklist for the album is as follows:

'Inflikted',

'Sanctuary',

'Terrorize',

'Black Ark',

'Ultra-Violent',

'Hex',

'The Doom Of All Fires',

'Bloodbrawl',

'Hearts Of Darkness

'Nevertrust'

'Must Kill'.

www.cavaleraconspiracy.com and www.myspace.com/cavaleraconspiracy

Hulkmania Hits the Water

-- Hulk Hogan, one of the most charismatic icons of popular culture and co-host of the new wildly popular NBC-TV show, "American Gladiators," has teamed up with FLW Outdoors to become the celebrity spokesperson of its world renown professional angler fishing tournaments and its new FLW Fantasy Fishing game in 2008, the largest and richest fantasy sports game in the world.

Fans the world over have followed Hogan from his beginnings as the world's biggest pro wrestling star to his induction into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame, to his many movie and television roles, including his most recent success as the co-host in the over-the-top reality TV show hit, "American Gladiators." The show ranked No. 2 in prime time in the January 14 Nielsen ratings with 10.7 million viewers, according to a report in the New York Times.

A giant in the sports and entertainment industry, the 6'5" Hogan wrestled in the American Wrestling Association before being cast as "Thunderlips" in Rocky III. Later, his professional wrestling prowess and big personality helped propel not only the WWE, but the sport of wrestling as it is known today. He has won the WWE title numerous times and continues to awe fans as an actor and entertainer around the world.

"With Hulk Hogan on board, professional and recreational fishing is ready to experience unprecedented growth," says Irwin Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. "Just as we've built the largest professional angling tournament organization in the world over the past 13 years, and now with the introduction of the largest and richest fantasy sports game in the world, FLW Outdoors' new Fantasy Fishing will be making millions of sports fans worldwide aware of FLW Fantasy Fishing similar to what Hogan did in the world of professional wresting from a cult following into mainstream entertainment. He is the perfect person to represent FLW Outdoors' new $7.3 million fantasy fishing game."

Hogan will take center stage in a variety of venues for FLW Outdoors including a two-day personal appearance at this year's first Wal-Mart FLW tournament being held at Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla. on February 28-March 3, 2008. Additionally, the Hulk will be hosting multiple podcasts covering the tournaments; writing a blog and various articles for the FLW Fantasy Fishing Web site FantasyFishing.com; making several personal appearances in 2008 on behalf of FLW Outdoors as well as many other activities across all media.

In 2008, FLW Outdoors, the largest professional fishing tournament organization in the world, will be conducting 240 professional angling tournaments, including the six prestigious Wal-Mart FLW tournament events and the world's largest single professional cash prize tournament event in the world, the Forrest Wood Championship Cup, where the professional angler winner will take home $1 million in cash.

FLW Fantasy Fishing is offering anyone who plays the game the opportunity to participate in being part of winning $7.3 million in cash and prizes without going fishing and in the comfort of their own home. Participants can play FLW Fantasy Fishing for free by logging onto FantasyFishing.com to enter for their chance to land the catch of a lifetime. There is $6.7 million in cash being offered to FLW's Fantasy Fishing participants, plus an additional $600,000 in valuable prizes including Ranger boats, a Chevy SUV, Yamaha and BRP ATV's and personal watercrafts, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club shopping gift cards, tens of thousands of dollars of BP free gasoline gift cards plus a whole lot more -- all guaranteed to be awarded to the winners of the FLW Fantasy Fishing game in 2008.

Fans can follow the action along with Hogan as the fantasy-fishing season kicks off February 28, 2008 in conjunction with the Wal-Mart FLW tournament on Lake Toho in Kissimmee, Fla., and culminates August 14-17, 2008 with the world's single largest and richest professional fishing tournament the Forrest Wood Championship Cup in Columbia, S.C. Consisting of seven events, FLW Fantasy Fishing mirrors the Wal-Mart FLW Tour schedule in 2008 that includes six regular season tournaments and the Forrest Wood Championship Cup tournament.

FLW Fantasy Fishing participants will play the game by earning points based on their fantasy fishing team of ten anglers' placement finishes for each one of the seven FLW tournaments throughout the Wal-Mart FLW Tour in 2008. Each one of the six regular season tournaments will award $100,000 to the participant with the most points in each one of the six individual tournaments plus an additional $100,000 will go to the participant with the most points in the Forrest Wood Championship Cup. The $1 million cash grand prize will be awarded to the individual who accumulates the most points over all six regular season tournaments and the Forrest Wood Championship Cup Tournament.

For more information on Fantasy Fishing, please visit FantasyFishing.com and for information on FLW Outdoors, visit FLWOutdoors.com.

About FLW Outdoors(R)

bFLW Outdoors(R) is named after the legendary founder of Ranger(R) Boats, Forrest L. Wood, and it conducts the following tournament circuits:

These circuits offer combined purses to the professional angler participants of nearly $43 million in cash through 240 professional tournament events in 2008.

Wal-Mart and many of America's largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world's leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Walmart.com.

For additional information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

Source: FLW Outdoors

Not sure where you're taking your Valentine? Tired of long walks on the beach? Romantic strolls on the sand? Can't get a reservation at The Ivy? Well screw it - cruise downtown to the brand spankin' new Crash Mansion L.A. for an ol' fashioned rock 'n' roll show! COCKPIT with Faster Pussycat and Beautiful Creatures Thursday, February 14 Crash Mansion L.A. 1024 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 747-0999 or crashmansionla.com There's plenty of parking (the venue has its own lot) and admission is F-R-E-E with the Cockpit password: Rocket Queen (we thought you'd like that!). In other Cockpit news, Mission to Rock, our debut EP (mixed by Anthony Focx), will be available this spring. www.ilovecockpit.com www.MySpace.com/cockpit Upcoming Cockpit dates: April 7 - West Hollywood, CA - Key Club

Congers, NY (February 4, 2008) –Wizard World Los Angles is loaded with exclusives available only to attendees of the family friendly comics and pop culture extravaganza at the LA Convention Center March 14-16. The only place to get both Hulk #1 "Red" and Aspen Showcase: Grace #1 with Michael Turner variant covers, Mick Foley as Cactus Jack, Kridana: Lord Rama 'Ivory' Variant Action Figure and from Avatar Wizard World editions of Anna Mercury: Prepare for Launch and Gravel #1.

The Red Hulk exclusive comes from the new series that follows the aftermath of World War Hulk. Written by Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness this exclusive variant also sports a cover featuring a version of the all-new "Red" Hulk by Michael Turner.

Wizard World is proud to have the Aspen Showcase: Grace #1 VIP Edition with an exclusive cover by Michael Turner available as part of our most popular Wizard World Los Angeles VIP Packages.

For all wrestling fans the ToyFare Exclusive of Mick Foley as Cactus Jack will be available for the first time at Wizard World Los Angeles! This exclusive features Cactus Jack’s classic “WANTED” t-shirt and comes packaged with all his hardcore wrestling accessories.

Additionally, ToyFare brings you from Kridana: Lord Rama 'Ivory' Variant Action Figure available for the first time at Wizard World Los Angeles. The variant Lord Rama is wearing gold and ivory armor, he comes packaged in a deluxe window box along with his must-have accessories: his battle bow and arrow and Shiva’s broken bow. Plus, each Lord Rama ‘Ivory’ includes a limited-edition (12,000) Michael Turner-cover comic. Available for purchase now at www.kridana.com or at Wizard World Los Angeles!

Avatar has two convention exclusives for Los Angeles , Anna Mercury: Prepare For Launch by Warren Ellis with cover art by Jacen Burrows and additional art by Facundo Percio. This Wizard World Exclusive book is not available in stores, and Jacen Burrows, who will be at the Wizard World LA show to sign copies. The second Avatar book is Gravel #1 also written by Ellis and Mike Wolfer with cover art by Burrows and inside art by Raulo Caceres.

Coffin Comics is premiering Lady Death: ICON #1 signed by creator Brian Pulido. This all-new, Wizard World premiere featuring astounding images by classic Lady Death illustrator is the first official comic published by Coffin Comics, Pulido's all new publishing venture.

For a complete list of events, times, registration forms, guests, activities, ticket prices and times, visit www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard Entertainment is the industry leader in the comic book and collectibles market that publishes Wizard: The Magazine of Comics, Entertainment and Pop Culture, ToyFare: The Toy Magazine and Anime Insider, as well as Toy Wishes: The Ultimate Guide to Family Entertainment and Special Operations. Wizard’s publications have a monthly national readership of more than two million and are currently sold in 25 countries and five languages. Wizard World, the convention division of Wizard Entertainment, is a four city tour that brings the best in comics, film, television, anime and collectibles to Los Angeles , Philadelphia , Chicago and Texas . WizardUniverse.com is the online home for all of Wizard's publications and its content spans the full range of Wizard's pop culture subject matter. For the latest news of interest to readers of all Wizard publications, Wizard Universe can be found online at www.wizarduniverse.com

MTV & Verizon Team Up for an MTV VOD First on Verizon FiOS TV

-- MTV (http://www.mtv.com/) and Verizon announced today that Verizon FiOS TV will be the exclusive on-demand provider of full episodes of the anticipated new series, "Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" (http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/dance_crew/series.jhtml). In an MTV VOD first on Verizon FiOS TV, the episodes will be available just 24-hours after the MTV premiere on February 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Additionally, leading up to the premiere, Verizon FiOS TV is already providing exclusive access to MTV dance- related content including the hottest dance trends emerging in New York City and Los Angeles, and step by step dance instructionals given by dancers featured on "America's Best Dance Crew."

"We are always looking for opportunities to enhance the viewer experience, and we are excited to be working with our friends at Verizon FiOS TV who clearly share the same goal," said Juliette Morris, SVP of Content Distribution and Marketing for MTV Networks. "Together we are can provide an almost immediate On Demand experience for one of MTV's most anticipated new series this spring, thereby supporting the value of the platform, and increasing buzz and awareness around the live linear premiere."

"We're delighted that our Verizon FiOS TV customers will have exclusive on-demand access to MTV's next great series," said Terry Denson, vice president -- Verizon FiOS TV content and programming. "Customers increasingly are turning to FiOS TV for viewing experiences they can't find elsewhere, and we're happy to join with MTV to provide another platform for their newest content," Denson said.

"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" is the first dance competition series showcasing dance crews rather than individual dancers. Week after week, each dance crew will work to show-off their most innovative choreography and sick dance skills. Mario Lopez ("Dancing with the Stars") will host and judges JC Chasez (N*Sync), hip hop sensation Lil Mama, and choreographer Shane Sparks ("You Got Served") will evaluate the dance crews. They won't be the only judges as fans also chime in to determine the two weakest crews each week that will battle for their lives, with only one surviving to dance another day. With a crew eliminated weekly, only the strongest will survive to be crowned "America's Best Dance Crew," winning a stellar cash prize and touring contract.

Verizon FiOS TV provides MTV programming as a part of its Free On-Demand service. Verizon delivers FiOS TV on the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network all the way to customers' homes in parts of 13 states. There will be significant off-channel media supporting the On Demand partnership around this series and targeting potential FiOS TV customers in key markets.

"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" is executive produced by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, Rob Lee (Bayonne Entertainment), Hip Hop International's Howard Schwartz and Karen Schwartz (the creators of the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships), Harriet Sternberg (Dream Merchant 21) and Joel Gallen (Tenth Planet Productions). David Auerbach and Brooke Karzen are the executives overseeing the project for Warner Horizon Television ("The Bachelor;" "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll"). Drew Tappon and Lauren Dolgen are the executives overseeing the project for MTV.

About MTV

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 66 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

Verizon's Online News Center: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.verizon.com/

COMEDY CENTRAL(R) is Here to Entertain With the Network Television Premiere of 'Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher'

-- Cedric the Entertainer takes the stage and rocks the mic in the Network Television Premiere of his all-new stand-up special "Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher" premiering Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 p.m.

The encore presentation of "Cedric the Entertainer: Taking You Higher" airs Sunday, February 24 at 8:00 p.m.

The debonair Cedric the Entertainer ups the class factor in this hilarious all-new stand-up special! The well-tailored, debonair comedian delivers his insights into hip-hop, diets, and plastic surgery. On the subject of television, he posits that that an all-black "Desperate Housewives" would become "Desperate Sisters" and "CSI" would have a spin-off series set in Detroit. Cedric the Entertainer even stretches his vocal chords on songs like Sinatra's "Summer Wind" and his tribute to James Brown-style funk, "Where's the Remote." Music and comedy collide in an all-new, laugh-out-loud laughter soiree!

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 91 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 140 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/

Grammy(R) Nominated Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Share the Stage for an All-New 'CMT CROSSROADS'

CMT CROSSROADS: ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 4 - Led Zeppelin front-man and legendary rocker, Robert Plant, and bluegrass superstar, Alison Krauss, share the stage performing their own classics as well as songs from their new album, Raising Sand in the next all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS: ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS premiering Monday, February 11 at 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. Plant and Krauss were recently nominated for a GRAMMY(R) in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" for the song "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" from Raising Sand. Click here to see their performance of "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" from CMT CROSSROADS on CMT.com.

Together, Plant and Krauss combine his rock intensity with her angelic grace for a phenomenal episode of CMT CROSSROADS. The two music icons perform songs from their new album, including "Please Read the Letter" and "Rich Woman." The pair performed Alison Krauss and Union Station's "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn," as well as Led Zeppelin classics "Black Dog" and "When the Levee Breaks." The pair also pay homage to The Everly Brothers with their version of "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)." Special guest, T Bone Burnett, acclaimed songwriter, performer and Raising Sand producer, joins in the onstage collaboration.

CMT CROSSROADS pairs country music stars with popular artists from other genres -- pop, rock, R&B -- to play together, swap stories, and share their common love of music. Recent episodes of CROSSROADS have included Lindsey Buckingham and Little Big Town; Steve Earle and Rosanne Cash; Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett; Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers; Bon Jovi and Sugarland; John Fogerty and Keith Urban; Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire; and Kenny "Babyface" Edmond and Trisha Yearwood; and, most recently, Joss Stone and LeAnn Rimes.

CMT CROSSROADS is presented by Alltel Wireless, the first title sponsor of the critically-acclaimed series and new advertiser for CMT. Alltel is owner and operator of the nation's largest wireless network and has 12 million customers.

For more information about Robert Plant and Alison Krauss log on to http://shorefire.com/clients/plantkrauss/.

For more information on CMT CROSSROADS log on to CMT.com.

Source: CMT

Web site: http://www.cmt.com/
http://shorefire.com/clients/plantkrauss
 

On February 2, 2008 Farouk Systems sponsored the Miss Wheelchair Texas Pageant. 

February 5, 2008

Posted by Yolanda Green on February 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ms Wheelchair Texas Pageant - Day 2

The Ms Wheelchair Texas Pageant is a weekend event with Saturday being the most intense. The morning started with the ladies going through interviews with the judges and workshop presentations.

The direct link is http://weblogs.khcw.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/

Following Success of Movie, 30 Days of Night World Lives On in New Comic Book TPB

IDW Publishing reinvents the horrifying world of vampires in new comic book, 30 Days of Night: Beyond Barrow


San Diego, CA (February 4, 2008)-Fans of 30 Days of Night will now have the chance to enjoy the further expansion of the 30 Days world and characters through IDW Publishing's horrific new comic book, 30 Days of Night: Beyond Barrow.

Beyond Barrow is an extension of the 30 Days of Night story, which was originally released as a comic in 2002 and became the hit motion picture from Sony Pictures in October, opening at the number one spot on the big screen. The terrifying story details a small Alaskan town-Barrow-that is overrun by vampires during 30 sunless days of the harsh northern winter. When released as a comic book by IDW Publishing, the horrifying vampire tale shocked the comic book world and quickly became a hit.

With two direct graphic novel sequels and assorted spin-off series and prose novels since the original, Beyond Barrow picks up where the ongoing story left off. This time a new creature is lurking, which is preying on both humans and vampires. "By introducing a new threat even to the vampires, this story takes the whole idea further than it's ever gone before," says Chris Ryall, publisher and editor-in-chief at IDW Publishing.

Most notable about Beyond Barrow is that series co-creator/writer Steve Niles has paired up with legendary artist Bill Sienkiewicz to create this terrifying story, which was originally released as a three-part series. Sienkiewicz, an acclaimed multimedia artist who has enjoyed a strong comic book following since the early 1980s, was a major influence on artist Ben Templesmith, who created the art for the original 30 Days of Night. For this newest launch, Sienkiewicz is doing fully-painted covers and artwork.

The trade paperback will be in stores February 2008; call 1-888-comic-book (1-888-266-4226) to find a store near you.

ABOUT IDW PUBLISHING
IDW PUBLISHING is a division of Idea and Design Works, LLC, a revolutionary creative service company with a wide range of clients. Among its best-selling titles are Hasbro's THE TRANSFORMERS; Paramount/CBS's STAR TREK; and Fox's ANGEL. IDW's 30 DAYS OF NIGHT film from Sony Pictures was released in October 2007 and was the #1 movie in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at www.idwpublishing.com.

 -- Anheuser-Busch grabbed the top spot in USA TODAY's Super Bowl Ad Meter for a record tenth year in a row. Anheuser- Busch's Budweiser ad featuring a Dalmatian training a Clydesdale to make the beer wagon team was the most popular, according to USA TODAY's Ad Meter. Volunteers gave the ad a score of 8.73 (on a scale of 0 to 10).

For the first time, USA TODAY Ad Meter's second-by-second responses of the consumer ad testing panel are available to review. Go to USATODAY.com to see the results, watch all the Super Bowl ads, rate the ads yourself and see what others think. Complete results are also available in today's editions of USA TODAY.

2008 marked the 20th USA TODAY Ad Meter. USA TODAY created the Super Bowl Ad Meter in 1989 to gauge consumers' opinions about TV's most expensive commercials. This year Ad Meter was held in Chicago, Ill. and McLean, Va. 234 volunteers charted their second-by-second reactions to national Super Bowl commercials using hand-held meters to register how much they liked or disliked an ad. A computer averaged the scores continuously.

USA TODAY is the nation's top-selling newspaper. It is published via satellite at 34 locations in the USA and at four sites abroad. With a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, USA TODAY is available worldwide. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI) . The USA TODAY brand also includes: USATODAY.com, an award-winning news and information Web site that is updated 24 hours per day; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine for enthusiasts of college and professional football and baseball; USA TODAY Mobile, offering up-to-the minute news and information on a variety of mobile platforms and devices; and USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the USA TODAY brand that brings the spirit and quality of the newspaper to television.

Source: USA TODAY

Web site: http://www.usatoday.com/

-- Michael J. Fitzpatrick, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today offered the following statement:

A media circus and reckless speculation has surrounded events in the life of pop singer Britney Spears and her family. Professional ethics require that mental health professionals who have not examined or treated individuals not presume to diagnose them. A person's treatment and recovery from any illness also is entitled to privacy -- which in fact may be an important factor in recovery.

In the case of Britney Spears, professional ethics also are involved which the media must confront. Roy Peter Clark, vice-president of the Poynter Institute, a leading center of journalism training and ethics, recently wrote. "There is clearly a danger zone, when life and health are at stake, when the best thing the press can do is back off. That time for Spears is probably now."

At the same time, the case is an opportunity for public discussion about mental illness, which many ordinary Americans confront every year. NAMI believes it is important that such discussions in our homes, offices, schools, and stores, as well as in the media, be based on facts.

What is needed--for anyone--is understanding and support. We encourage everyone to focus not on Britney Spears, but on all the ordinary people in our own communities who deserve our attention.

Getting well can be a difficult process. It takes time. It may involve relapses.

Involuntary treatment may be necessary in some instances, but only as a last resort, and over time, a person's insight often returns and treatment becomes voluntary.

There should be no stigma for a person being hospitalized or treated for mental illness, voluntary or otherwise. Treatment represents medical intervention for a life-threatening medical condition. Treatment also works.

Doctors and families often respond to other kinds of medical emergencies, such as brain seizures or diabetic shock. Being admitted to a hospital under any circumstance should never be a cause for stigma.

Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/mentalillnessfacts

CBS Television Distribution Signs Judge Judy Sheindlin to Multiyear Deal; #1-Rated Court Show 'JUDGE JUDY' Renewed Through 2012

-- Judge Judy Sheindlin has signed a new multiyear deal with CBS Television Distribution to continue headlining her top-rated court show as JUDGE JUDY has been renewed through 2012, it was announced today by John Nogawski, President and COO of CTD.

"JUDGE JUDY is the unsung hero of syndication, consistently delivering fantastic ratings to our station partners, and we're really proud it's the only syndicated show growing year to year," Nogawski said. "The show's success is all due to one incredible woman -- Judy Sheindlin. We couldn't be happier to have Judy in our family for years to come."

"I am thrilled to know that our program continues to be engaging and that our marriage to CBS will continue," Sheindlin said. "Of course, my children and grandchildren are likewise thrilled."

JUDGE JUDY has been the top-rated half-hour syndicated court show since its inception 12 years ago on Sept. 16, 1996.

This season, JUDGE JUDY is the only first-run syndicated show to grow year to year, up +7% in HH GAA% (7.5 vs. 7.0) and HH AA% (4.9 vs. 4.6). JUDGE JUDY tied its weekly season high with an 8.1 HH GAA% and set a season high in HH AA% with a 5.3 rating for the week ending January 13, the most recent week for which ratings are available. JUDGE JUDY's 5.3 HH AA% is its highest-rated week in almost 3 years (since 2/27/05).

CBS Television Stations has agreed to pick up the show through the 2011- 2012 season. Stations include: WCBS (New York, market rank #1); KCBS and KCAL (Los Angeles, #2); WBBM (Chicago, #3); KPIX (San Francisco, #6); WBZ and WSBK (Boston, #7); KMAX and KOVR (Sacramento, #20); and WGNT (Norfolk, #42).

JUDGE JUDY is distributed by CBS Television Distribution. Randy Douthit is executive producer and director. Timothy Regler is executive producer. CTD is a unit of CBS Corp.

Source: CBS Television Distribution

-- Disney-ABC Domestic Television is bringing a new first-run, live-action weekly series to the syndication marketplace for a Fall 2008 launch, it was announced today by Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television. From Executive Producer Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2," "Spider-Man 3" and "The Evil Dead"), the one-hour weekly series is based on Terry Goodkind's bestselling epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth, which follows the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into a magical leader who joins with a mysterious, beautiful woman to stop a bloodthirsty, sinister tyrant.

"We are thrilled to offer a network-quality show to the syndication marketplace from the studio that brings us 'Lost,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'Ghost Whisperer' and the new Lifetime hit 'Army Wives,' together with the talented team behind 'Xena: Warrior Princess' and 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,'" said Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic Television. "The time is right to introduce a captivating new series from this well-established and successful genre that is sure to be an attractive fit for stations across the country."

"We're very excited to move into the first-run syndication arena," said Mark Pedowitz, president of ABC Studios, "especially with Sam Raimi, a visually dynamic filmmaker who's mastered the fantasy genre."

"Terry Goodkind is a brilliant author and I fell in love with his books, reading them with my family," said Executive Producer Sam Raimi. "In discussing these incredible storylines and rich characters with my friends and partners Robert Tapert and Josh Donen, we agreed that 'Wizard's First Rule' would make an amazing television series -- one that could be produced with compelling, self-contained episodes."

Goodkind's popular epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth are international bestsellers that have been translated into over 20 languages. Goodkind's first installment Wizard's First Rule was published in 1994 and ten additional titles have subsequently been released.

"Wizard's First Rule" will be produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture into broadcast syndication. Production is slated to begin on the 22 episodes this May. Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert ("The Grudge," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Cleopatra 2525"), Joshua Donen ("The Quick and the Dead") and Ned Nalle (production executive for "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys") serve as executive producers.

Source: Disney-ABC Domestic Television

MySpace & MTV, Along With Associated Press, to Exclusively Feature Frontrunner Republican & Democratic Candidates' 'Closing Arguments' February 2nd

Senator Hillary Clinton and Governor Mike Huckabee Confirmed for 'Super Dialogue' with Potential to Reach 200 Million Voters on TV, Online, Radio and Mobile Phones

- MySpace, the world's most popular social network, and MTV, the leading global youth brand, along with the Associated Press, today announced "Closing Arguments: A Presidential Super Dialogue." The event will offer candidates polling above 10%* a final chance to address the nation -- particularly the energized and pivotal youth voting bloc -- in advance of Super Tuesday, an unprecedented moment in U.S. political history, when more than 20 states hold presidential primaries or caucuses. Frontrunner candidates Hillary Clinton and Mike Huckabee are the first confirmed participants for the next installment of MySpace and MTV's acclaimed Presidential Dialogue Series, taking place Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 6 PM ET on-air, online, radio and mobile phones. The Associated Press will distribute a live feed and on-demand highlights of the Dialogue to the 1,800 media sites in its Online Video Network; nearly 600 of those are local TV, newspaper or radio sites in states with Super Tuesday primaries. John McCain, Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Barack Obama and John Edwards have all been invited to participate in the event as well.

Young voters have turned out at primaries and caucuses in record numbers this year -- tripling their presence in Iowa and South Carolina, and doubling in New Hampshire vs. four years ago -- and their support will translate to 100s of delegates on Super Tuesday, February 5th. The "Super Dialogue" will give each participating candidate an opportunity to engage with this audience and individually address questions posed by online viewers via MySpaceIM, ChooseOrLose.com and from the live, college-aged audience in MTV's Times Square studio in New York. Candidates have the freedom to join from the studio or via satellite from the campaign trail. MTV News Correspondents Gideon Yago and Sway Calloway, as well as WashingtonPost.com political reporter Chris Cillizza will return to moderate, joined by a top AP political reporter covering the campaign.

The fourth in the groundbreaking series, the upcoming Presidential Super Dialogue will be the most publicly accessible and interactive presidential candidate event in history, with more mediums available for people to tune in and engage with a live event than ever before, including:

-- Streamed live online via MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/election2008)

and MTV's http://www.chooseorlose.com/

(http://www.lavibra.com/candidatos)

A revolutionary polling tool, powered by Flektor (http://www.flektor.com/), will enable viewers watching online to indicate their approval or disapproval of candidates' responses throughout the course of the event and help guide the direction of the forum. A "popular vote" function will allow viewers to compare their opinions against those of the entire viewing community.

Previous MySpace / MTV Presidential Dialogues have featured former Senator John Edwards at the University of New Hampshire, Senator Barack Obama at Coe College in Iowa, and Senator John McCain at Southern New Hampshire University, individually engaging with students at each event and addressing unfiltered questions posed by online viewers. Since their debut, video highlights from previous Dialogues have been streamed more than one million times, and approximately four million people have tuned in to watch the Dialogues on MTV or MySpace. Video clips from each event are archived and available on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/election2008) and http://www.chooseorlose.com/.

The Presidential Dialogue series is a key component of the MySpace Impact Channel (http://impact.myspace.com/) and MTV's "Choose or Lose" (http://www.chooseorlose.com/). "Choose or Lose" is MTV's Emmy-Award winning campaign to engage, inform and empower young voters on the political issues that matter to them most. First launched in 1992, the campaign has helped fuel several of the largest youth voter turnouts in US history, including in 2004, when it helped inspire nearly 22 million 18-30 year olds to register and vote. The Impact Channel is MySpace's hub for social and civic engagement, designed to empower MySpace users to make a difference in the world and to allow politicians, non-profits, and civic organizations to connect with MySpace's global audience. The Impact Channel houses the official MySpace pages for all of the major party Presidential candidates, as well as tools to enable voter registration, fundraising, and volunteering. On January 1 and 2, 2008 the Impact Channel hosted the first in nation presidential primary with more than 150,000 MySpace users voicing their choice for the nation's highest office.

MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the world's most popular social network for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. By integrating web profiles, blogs, instant messaging, e-mail, music streaming, music videos, photo galleries, classified listings, events, groups, college communities, and member forums, MySpace has created a connected community. As the first ranked web domain in terms of page views(*), MySpace is the most widely-used and highly regarded site of its kind and is committed to providing the highest quality member experience. MySpace will continue to innovate with new features that allow its members to express their creativity and share their lives, both online and off. MySpace's international network includes localized community sites in the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Latin America, Denmark, Norway, Brazil, Finland and the United Kingdom. Fox Interactive Media is a division of News Corp. (NYSE:NWS) (NYSE:NWS.A) .

http://www.comscore.com/.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About The Associated Press

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP. On the Net: http://www.ap.org/.

Source: MySpace; MTV Networks; The Associated Press

Web site: http://www.myspace.com/election2008
http://www.chooseorlose.com/
http://www.ap.org/

Through all of the rain, everyone still made it out last Thursday
to experience the energy of a Carlos Mena DJ set!
J.Sole and Carlos kept the vibe reeling
until the lights came on. Thank you all!

This week we welcome a VERY special guest DJ that
we've been waiting for since we started Afro Funke’
to grace our stage…doing a special Africa VS Arabia DJ set!
 

------------------:~0~:-------------------
Afro Funké
WEEKLY FUNK INVOCATION
------------------:~0~:---------------------
Afrobeat, Brazilian, Dub, Reggae, Cumbia,
Samba Disco, Batucada, Afro-Latin House,
Indian Beats, Makossa & other deep-rooted
Funk music from around the world
---------------------:~0~:---------------------
 

resident deejay:
JEREMY SOLE'S MUSAICS
www.myspace.com/musaics
* hear J.Sole on 89.9 KCRW (or kcrw.com) Wednesdays 12-3am
www.myspace.com/branchesradio


hosted by:
ROCKY DAWUNI
www.rockydawuni.com
www.myspace.com/rockydawunimusic
AQUARIAN Digital Music


afro funke' photography, booking & production:
CARY SULLIVAN
www.myspace.com/carysullivan

*Plus Special Guest Deejays & Players of Instruments Each Week!!*

Afro Funke' Thursdays
Zanzibar
1301 5th Street @ Arizona
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.2221 / 21+ / $7 - 10
www.zanzibarlive.com
www.myspace.com/afrofunke
www.rockydawuni.com/afrofunke.html

*Free street parking around venue as well
structure parking on 4th Street*
 

THIS WEEK!!
 

JANUARY 31
DJ NICKODEMUS
(Turntables on the Hudson / Wonderwheel Recordings)
Very Special "Africa vs Arabia" DJ Set!!

Nickodemus digs deep in the crates to give you his favorite
African & Arabian dancefloor tracks back to back!
www.myspace.com/nickodemusnyc
www.wonderwheelrecordings.com
www.eslmusic.com


PRESALE TICKETS:
http://templetickets.musictoday.com/TempleBar/calendar.aspx
$10
 

For more information please contact:
Cary Sullivan
afrofunke@yahoo.com
 

Please join the AFRO FUNKE' Email List!!

About AMC Entertainment Inc.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., AMC Entertainment Inc. is one of the world's largest and most innovative theatrical exhibition companies. With a history of industry leadership dating back to 1920, the company today serves more than 230 million guests annually through interests in 358 theatres with 5,128 screens in six countries. www.amctheatres.com.

Oscar® is the registered trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

* The AMC Best Picture Showcase will be available in the following markets/theatres:

Grammy Singer/Actress Jill Scott Takes The Real Thing to Paris

New DVD Jill Scott: Live In Paris + Releases February 5th

-- Grammy-winning soulstress Jill Scott takes fans on a journey to Paris, France with Jill Scott: Live In Paris + DVD releasing February 5th. Available in both Standard & Deluxe editions, the combo coincides with "The Real Thing" US Tour starting Feb. 5th in Seattle. Pulled from the Hidden Beach vault, the awe-inspiring show was recorded at the historic Elysee Montmartre where Jill left the Parisian crowd speechless with songs like "Golden," "He Loves Me(Lyzel in E Flat)" and "Whatever." Additionally, Live In Paris + hits right before Jill attends the Grammy's for her 3 Grammy nods & 2 Image Award nods including her first award nomination in film. Bridging a great 2007 into 2008 the singer/actress will continue the momentum starring in her first lead role with Oscar winning director Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain/The English Patient) in "No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" (Weinstein Co./HBO).

Jill Scott: Live In Paris + is the first in a series of Hidden Beach Basement Tapes; un-released gems pulled from the Hidden Beach vault which continues the label's on-going commitment to quality. The DVD Program contains special bonuses including a documentary with her French fans as well as four songs from Jill's concert at The House of Blues where Prince & Stevie Wonder were wowed in amazement by performances of "Hate On Me," "My Love" & "Crown Royal." Filmed with camera crew well-hidden in head to toe black, clearly instructed by Jill not to be seen nor heard; not to intrude in any way on the intimate exchange between audience and artist. Hidden Beach worked hard to capture the raw energy, that musical food that Jill serves on stage every night and serve it on a piping hot DVD. The offering answers fans begging for a concert DVD experience from Jill Scott, and for those who've never seen her live, an opening invitation to do so.

Totaling 12 career Grammy nominations, "The Real Thing" has been nominated for Best R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal performance for "Hate On Me" as well as Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Daydreamin" by Lupe Fiasco off Jill Scott's "Compilations" album. From the NAACP Image Awards come more recognition in the form of two nominations for Outstanding Female Artist & Best Actress in Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?"

No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency was written by Anthony Minghella (The English Patient, Cold Mountain) & screenwriter Curtis Martin (Bridget Jones Diary, Notting Hill). Based around the detective, Precious Ramotswe (Scott) the dramady follows her and her assistant Mma Makutsi( Anika Noni Rose -- Dreamgirls) as they take on a cheating husband, insurance fraud, witchcraft and a kidnapped youngster. The film also stars Idris Elba (28 Weeks Later) & was the first major film to be shot in Botswana, South Africa. The film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith.

Acting has become a new joy for Jill, who made the scene at Sundance earlier in the year in support of her role in the Dakota Fanning movie "Hounddog," in which she plays Big Momma Thornton, the artist who originally sang the Elvis Presley hit. Jill is also currently in talks to star in several upcoming films.

Music continues to be Jill's passion with the release of "The Real Thing," the follow up to 2004's Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Album and won the Best Urban/Alternative Performance Grammy for the single "Cross My Mind." Jill Scott made a huge splash in the music industry when she released the critically acclaimed Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1, which earned Jill four Grammy nominations, including a Best New Artist nomination. Earlier this year, Jill Scott released the effortlessly cool genre-hopping Collaborations, a compilation of all Jill's best collaborations, including the Grammy-winning "God Bless The Child" with George Benson and Al Jarreau.

Source: Hidden Beach Recordings

Web site: http://www.hiddenbeachmedia.com/

LOS ANGELES, In anticipation of the launch of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.'s (MGM) new American Gladiators franchise broadband website http://www.americangladiators.com/ which launches on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, the studio is giving a sneak peak at some of the exclusive footage that will be available on the site.

On January 30 MGM will launch americangladiators.com, a broadband website that will pay homage to the original series. The site will feature clips of the original series which have all been re-digitalized. Clips will reintroduce original Gladiators and give fans an update on where they are today. Featured segments will also include "best hits," and stunts performed on the vintage show.

Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Web site: http://www.mgm.com/
http://www.americangladiators.com/

X-Gamers Get Fresh Looks From New Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer!

-- The Winter X-Games kickoff today in Aspen and all eyes will be watching the top action sports athletes compete for gold medals in ski, snowboard, and snowmobile events. Elite snowboarders Danny Davis and Kevin Pearce will be among those competing, and both will be equipped with fresh styles courtesy of the new Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer.

Schick(R) is sponsoring both Davis and Pearce who were given exclusive access to the new Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer, the world's first and only razor that shaves, edges and trims. Using the ultimate personal grooming tool, both snowboarders have created signature looks that only the Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer could provide. Equipped with an edging blade and a battery-powered trimmer the new Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer provides unparalleled control in creating the perfect facial-hair style for any man.

The Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer applies all the benefits of a premium four-titanium coated blade disposable razor, the styling advantages of a precision edging blade, and the maintenance abilities of an electric trimmer.

Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium and Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer will be available at mass food and drug retail outlets nationwide beginning mid- February for a suggested price of $10.99 for the handle with one razor/edging cartridge.

For tips on shaving, or to learn more about the new Schick(R) Quattro(R) Titanium Trimmer please visit www.shaving.com.

About Schick(R)

Schick-Wilkinson Sword, a leading manufacturer of razors around the world, is a division of Energizer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ENR) , headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information on shaving and the Schick(R) Quattro(R) Disposable razor line, visit shaving.com.

(C)2007 Energizer. Schick, Quattro and other marks are trademarks of Energizer.

Source: Schick(R)

Web site: http://www.shaving.com/

-- The following is a statement being issued by Blue Man Productions:

We are shocked and surprised to learn of the allegations made in reference to one of our comedic pieces, "Esophagus Video." At the time of this statement, we have not been served any legal papers.

Our well-known audience participatory pieces, such as "Esophagus Video," have been performed for over 15 years, in over 50,000 performances, to the delight of over 12 million audience members around the world. We are disappointed that this false claim forces us to reveal the truth behind one of our most popular theatrical devices.

"Esophagus Video" is simply an illusion. A camera is held in an actor's hands, the actor's hands are placed near an audience member's mouth (not on or in). The live-feed video screen then switches to a pre-recorded medical video, resulting in the hilarious and absurd illusion that the audience is peering down an individual's esophagus. Because the camera never enters the mouth, the execution of this illusion could not possibly put anyone at risk of injury.

Blue Man Group

Source: Blue Man Productions

Web site: http://www.blueman.com/

-- Bonne Radford, Randi Barnes, Daniel St Pierre, and Matthew Jon Beck have all signed onto the animated musical Dorothy of OZ, being produced by Alpine Pictures, Inc in association with Box Office Productions III, LLC.

Dorothy of OZ is the first in a slated series of animated feature films by Alpine Pictures, based on the writings of acclaimed children's author Roger S. Baum. Mr. Baum's work continues the legacy of his great-grandfather L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series of books, through new stories of Dorothy's adventures in the enchanted Land of Oz, and the magical friends she meets along the way.

Alpine Pictures, Inc is a 12-year-old internationally established company engaged in the production, acquisition, and distribution of feature films. Alpine recently completed Love Is the Drug, directed by Elliott Lester and starring Lizzy Caplan (The Class, Mean Girls), John Patrick Amedori (Vanished, Stick it, and The Butterfly Effect), Jenny Wade (Monster-In-Law), D.J. Cotrona (Windfall, Venom), Jonathon Trent (Fashion Victim, You Are Here, and Pray for Morning), Bruce A. Young (The Color of Money, Jurassic Park III), and Daryl Hannah (Splash, Steel Magnolias, and Kill Bill Vol. I & II). In addition Alpine Pictures just wrapped post-production on Dark Honeymoon starring Lindy Booth (Cry Wolf, Dawn of the Dead), Nick Cornish (Psycho Beach Party), Eric Roberts (The Pope of Greenwich Village), Tia Carrere (Wayne's World, True Lies), Craig Shoemaker (Scream II, The Lovemaster), Daryl Hannah (Splash, Steel Magnolias, and Kill Bill Vol. I & II) and Roy Scheider (Jaws, All that Jazz).

Source: Alpine Pictures, Inc

Web site: http://www.alpinepix.com/

AARP The Magazine Honors Hal Holbrook With Lifetime Achievement Award at Movies for Grownups(R) Awards Gala

-- AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with 33 million readers, today announced that newly Oscar-nominated actor Hal Holbrook ('Into the Wild'), will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 7th annual Movies for Grownups(R) Awards. Emerging as a reliable predictor of each year's Oscar nominees and winners, the awards recognize talent in over 15 categories and honor the achievements of those filmmakers, actors, and actresses who offer projects with characters and storylines that appeal to the burgeoning 50+ audience. The full list of awards -- including Best Grownup Love Story (John Travolta and Christopher Walken in 'Hairspray'), Best Buddy Picture ('The Bucket List') and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up ('Enchanted') -- are featured in the March/April issue, available February 1, 2008.

The 2008 Movies for Grownups(R) Award winners will be presented with the coveted La Chaise d'Or trophy -- The Golden Chair -- a whimsical trophy in the shape of a vintage movie theater seat -- at a private gala awards dinner held at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on February 4, 2008. The event will be hosted by Golden Globe winner Jamie Lee Curtis (A Fish Called Wanda; True Lies) and Oscar nominee John Cleese (A Fish Called Wanda; Monty Python films, and Fawlty Towers), with a special 20th anniversary tribute to A Fish Called Wanda planned to take place at the event as well.

As the oldest supporting actor nominee in Oscar history for his role in Into the Wild, Hal Holbrook will be honored with the Movies for Grownups(R) Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work in acting, writing and directing. His credits include All the President's Men, Julia, A Clear and Present Danger, Pueblo, Magnum Force, Wall Street, The Firm, Waking the Dead, and Mark Twain Tonight!, the renowned one-man show that he first performed for then-President Dwight Eisenhower -- and most recently took to Broadway in 2005 for an acclaimed return engagement. In a career spanning six decades, he's earned four Emmy wins and five nominations, a Screen Actors Guild nomination and an Oscar nomination.

Below is a brief list of the 2008 Movies for Grownups(R) Award winners. Visit http://www.aarpmagazine.org/movies to read the full lineup of Movies for Grownups(R) 2007 award winners. For more information or to schedule an interview with Features Editor Bill Newcott regarding AARP The Magazine's Movies for Grownups(R) Awards, please contact Michelle Alvarez, 202.434.2555/202.390.0032 or malvarez@aarp.org.

With more than 33 million readers nationwide, AARP The Magazine (http://www.aarpmagazine.org/) is the world's largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. Reaching over 22.5 million households, AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through in-depth celebrity interviews, health and fitness features, consumer interest information and tips, book and movie reviews and financial guidance. Published bimonthly in print and continually online, AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is the flagship title of AARP Publications.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, http://www.aarp.org/. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source: AARP

http://www.aarpmagazine.org/

-- Jay Leno, several fellow comedians, and NBC Studios have settled their lawsuit in federal court against Judy Brown and Brown's publishers, putting an end to "joke books" created by Brown that collect and repackage thousands of the comedians' jokes without their permission. Leno, who along with Rita Rudner and NBC Studios, is donating all of his proceeds to charity, expressed satisfaction with the settlement.

Under the settlement, Brown's publishers pledged to immediately cease the distribution, manufacture and sale of Brown's joke books, and to pay compensation to the plaintiff comedians. Brown also agreed to a monetary settlement, apologized for her actions, and pledged to never again copy any of the plaintiffs' jokes without express permission to do so.

The suit, also brought by Rita Rudner, Jimmy Brogan, Diane Nichols, Sue Pascoe (widow of comedian Ronnie Shakes), Kathleen Madigan, and Bob Ettinger, alleged that Brown and the publisher defendants had violated federal copyright and trademark statutes by engaging in wholesale and unauthorized reproduction of the plaintiffs' original material in Brown's joke book compilations.

According to Leno, "I thought it was important to make it clear that jokes are protected like any other art form. On behalf of the tremendous and talented group of writers we have at The Tonight Show and many other hardworking comedians, I'm very glad we've been able to stop this practice once and for all."

"This settlement sends a strong message that the intellectual property rights of comedy writers must be respected," said Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who represented NBC Studios and the comedians in the suit. Boutrous added that Gibson Dunn would be donating a portion of its proceeds from the settlement to charity.

Judy Brown apologized to the writers whose jokes she copied: "In my books, I have published jokes of Jay Leno and the other comedians in this lawsuit without their permission. I sincerely apologize for doing so. I greatly admire the creativity, wit and energy of stand-up comedians, and I recognize that comedy is as much an art form as other types of creative expression. The best comedians may make comedy seem easy, but I know it takes talent, hard work and careful preparation to make people laugh. That is why I am settling this lawsuit by agreeing never again to publish their jokes without asking their permission to do so."

Source: Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Web site: http://www.gibsondunn.com/

 Continuing to capitalize on the opportunities created by the recent growth in high definition television, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) has secured carriage for its MGM HD Channel on Verizon's FiOS TV service, bringing feature film hits from the MGM library to Verizon FiOS TV subscriber households in full high definition splendor. The announcement was made today by Douglas A. Lee, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Digital Media for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Jim Packer, Co-President, MGM Worldwide Television.

"The response to the MGM HD Channel, even in today's crowded and challenging marketplace, has been very encouraging, especially as consumers validate our belief that HDTV owners value movies along with sports as HD's greatest viewing proposition," said Lee in announcing the Verizon FiOS TV agreement. "We are one of the only services available 24/7 in full 1080i HD."

MGM HD will be rolled out in late 2008 across all of the Verizon FiOS TV systems including California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.

Taking the lead among Hollywood studios to convert substantial theatrical library assets to the superior broadcasting format of high definition, MGM HD has already proven its popularity with consumers in the U.S., having previously launched on DirecTV in October of 2007. MGM Chairman and CEO Harry Sloan's initiative is to launch MGM branded HD channels around the world.

Backed by the world's largest modern film library, consisting of more than 4,100 film titles and winner of 209 Academy Awards(R), MGM HD has a distinct advantage over the competition in the expanding HD marketplace. In addition to classic MGM theatrical hits, MGM HD will be the ultimate resource for serious movie fans, offering viewers an array of original programming and new content.

Audiences can look forward to exclusive behind the scenes coverage of red carpet events, sneak peeks at new films in production, seasonal promotions and world premieres of newly re-mastered hits from the MGM library.

About MGM HD

MGM HD, the studio's first wholly-owned channel in the United States, delivers a robust library of classic and contemporary films in high definition, 1080i. MGM HD is the ultimate resource for serious movie fans. MGM HD is composed of a 24/7 linear network, a companion MGM HD VOD offering, and mgmhd.com. It draws from the largest modern film library in the world. And with world premieres of newly re-mastered hits and exclusive original programming, MGM HD is the way movies were meant to be seen.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Web site: http://www.mgm.com/

Starz Bulks Up Movie Line-Up

Adds Hundreds of First Run Titles Via Extended Output Deals with Sony Pictures Television and The Walt Disney Studios; Over 1200 Titles in New Library Agreements with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, MGM Worldwide Television Group, and Universal Pictures

- "Ushering in the new year on a great note, Starz Entertainment has finalized deals with five major studios," announced Stephan Shelanski, Starz executive vice president programming. Its exclusive first run output deals with Sony Pictures Television and Disney-ABC Domestic Television have been extended well into the next decade, and library acquisitions from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, MGM Worldwide Television Group and Universal Pictures will provide the rights to approximately 1,200 top movie titles and television series from these studios' substantial film vaults. The deals allow Starz Entertainment to offer the content on multiple distribution platforms, including its 16 linear channels, HD, Starz On Demand, Starz Play and Vongo, the broadband video download service.

"Movies have always been the backbone of our company," continued Shelanski. "Extending our relationships with five major studios shows our continued commitment to providing top notch product to our consumers and affiliates. We are pleased to offer our subscribers' access to first run films from Sony Pictures and The Walt Disney Studios, as well as to Warner Bros., MGM and Universal's extensive libraries. This furthers our pipeline of exclusive quality movie programming well into the next decade." The Disney deal will provide films to Starz theatrically released through 2012, and the Sony Pictures Television deal provides films through 2015. Top future output titles from Sony Pictures include Hancock (Will Smith), Angels and Demons (Tom Hanks) and Don't Mess With Zohan (Adam Sandler). Disney titles include National Treasure: Book of Secrets and Enchanted, as well as the eight time Academy Award(R)-nominee (including Best Picture) No Country for Old Men from Miramax Films.

Under the terms of the library agreements, Starz Entertainment will have access to a wide variety of films across many genres including Warner Bros. titles The Road Warrior, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Full Metal Jacket, Interview with the Vampire, Risky Business, Heat, Natural Born Killers, 2001: A Space Odyssey, L.A. Confidential, Dog Day Afternoon, The Shawshank Redemption, Blade Runner, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Batman, Batman & Robin, Batman Forever, Batman Returns, The Exorcist 1-3, Lethal Weapon 1-3, Police Academy 1-7, Superman 1-3, Superman Returns and legendary Western television series such as "The Lawman," "Maverick," "Cheyenne," and "How the West Was Won."

Titles from MGM include Hannibal, Hotel Rwanda, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, 17 James Bond films, Fargo, Top Gun, The Usual Suspects, In the Heat of the Night, They Call Me Mr. Tibbs!, The Manchurian Candidate (1962), Ronin, Robocop 1-3, Mad Max, The Magnificent Seven, The Pink Panther, Inspector Clouseau, Return of the Pink Panther, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Revenge of the Pink Panther, Trail of the Pink Panther, Curse of the Pink Panther, Son of the Pink Panther, The Amityville Horror, Raging Bull and Leaving Las Vegas.

Universal Pictures titles include John Waters' Hairspray, Mulholland Drive, Conan the Barbarian, Death Becomes Her, The Crow, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Minnie and Moskowitz, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, The Last Temptation of Christ, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Virginian, Wagon Train, Winchester 73, The Lonely Guy, Henry & June, Melvin and Howard, The Milagro Beanfield War, The Seduction of Joe Tynan, Secrets & Lies and Nightmare on Elm Street 3-4.

The financial terms were not disclosed.

In addition to its output deals with Sony Pictures Television and Disney-ABC Domestic Television, Starz has the exclusive premium television rights to films from its sister company Overture Films, an innovative entity that develops, produces, acquires, and distributes motion pictures worldwide.

Starz Entertainment is the exclusive subscription television and broadband provider of first-run films from leading Hollywood studios including Walt Disney Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Overture Films, Revolution Studios, Miramax Films, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Disney-Pixar, TriStar, Screen Gems, Sony Classics and Warren Miller Films. Select first-run theatrical films from The Weinstein Company, IFC and Yari Film Group are also available for subscription television and broadband exclusively on Starz Entertainment services. A vast collection of classic and favorite titles are provided by a wide array of other Hollywood studios.

About Starz Entertainment, LLC

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 16 million and 30.3 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand, Starz Play and Vongo(R). Starz Entertainment (http://www.starz.com/) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.

Source: Starz Entertainment, LLC

Web site: http://www.starz.com/

Jeep(R) Brand Returns to ESPN's Winter X Games with Award-Winning Tag Shop and 'Have Fun Out There' Attitude

- Skis from Rossignol's Seven Artistic Sins collection make first public U.S. appearance in Jeep Tag Shop

- Prominent board culture artist Squindo to make special appearance

- Snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler and other athletes to hold autograph sessions

- Sixth year of brand's sponsorship of the premier winter action sports competition

 -- In its sixth year as a sponsor of ESPN's Winter X Games, the Jeep(R) brand is bringing its award- winning Tag Shop "garage" and "Have Fun Out There" attitude back to the premier action sports competition to be held Jan. 24-27 at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colo.

First unveiled during the 2007 games, the Tag Shop is a two-story, 20 foot by 20 foot structure, resembling an enclosed garage with functioning garage doors. Inside, graffiti murals decorate the walls as authentic graffiti artists custom "tag" gear for free and professional athletes hold autograph sessions throughout the weekend. The heated and clear covered second floor houses a DJ booth and VIP reception area. Two tricked-out Jeep vehicles -- an all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty and a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited -- will flank the garage for photo opportunities.

One of the highlights of the Tag Shop this year will be the U.S. debut of four of the seven sets of skis from Rossignol's Seven Artistic Sins (SAS) Collection. Seven prominent board culture artists created original art for Rossignol's new twin tip ski line, artistically expressing the seven deadly sins. The featured artists whose work has defined the board culture movement are Andy Howell, Steve Caballero, Caia Koopman, Mr. Jago, Andrew Pommier, Will Barras and Squindo. Squindo, best known for his work on Metallica album covers and whose work has covered skateboards, snowboards and surf boards for much of the last decade, will make a special appearance at the Tag Shop on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to artist appearances, some of the top names in winter sports will hold autograph sessions in the Jeep Tag Shop. Sage Cattabriga-Alosa and Kye Peterson will appear on Friday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Gretchen Bleiler will be in the Tag Shop on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m.

The advertising industry publication Adweek recognized the Jeep Tag Shop with a Buzz Award in the "Event" category in October 2007. The award celebrates media/marketing solutions that truly generate buzz among consumers.

"Because there has never been anything like it at Winter X, the Tag Shop allows us to maximize our space by giving us a unique way to interact with the crowds and communicate the essence of the Jeep brand," said John Plecha, Director -- Jeep Brand Marketing & Global Communications. "Since Winter X and Jeep are all about having fun, the Tag Shop brings that to life this year with incredible displays of rideable art created by amazing artists; special appearances by top athletes and artists; giveaways and much more."

The annual Winter X Games features athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in the following sports: skiing, snowboard and snowmobile. All Winter X Games competitions will take place at Buttermilk Mountain. Winter X Games 12 will air live on ESPN and ABC and will feature nighttime events.

In addition to the tag shop, the Jeep brand will be represented throughout the venue with signage, billboards, competitor bibs, PA announcements and vehicle displays, including two wrapped Jeep Liberty vehicles that will be awarded to the top male and female athlete of the games. Jeep advertising will also be prominently featured during the live event telecast, on radio and in ESPN The Magazine.

The Jeep brand has been a proud sponsor of the ESPN Winter X Games since 2002. The brand's commitment to the outdoors and action sports is also reflected in its own Jeep World of Adventure Sports television show (www.WorldofAdventureSports.com) and the Jeep King of the Mountain series (www.jeepsports.com).

About the Jeep brand

The Jeep brand expanded to seven nameplates in the 2007 model year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the brand's 66-year history. With the introduction of the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV), the Jeep brand offers customers the freshest, most capable and widest range of sport-utility vehicles under one brand in the industry.

At the start of 2004, the brand's trio of tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty (Cherokee outside North America) and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep Commander was introduced in 2005 followed in 2006 by the all-new Jeep Wrangler. Three more all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also made their debut in the 2006 calendar year.

Source: Chrysler LLC

Web site: http://www.worldofadventuresports.com/
http://www.jeepsports.com/
http://media.chrysler.com/
http://www.chrysler.com/

MTV Krumps, Grinds and Shakes for the Special Live Audition of 'Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew' on Saturday, January 26 From 2:00-4:00 p.m. ET/PT

-- MTV gets energized for the Live Audition of "Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" where the top 12 dance crews from around the country will battle it out on Saturday, January 26 at 2:00 p.m. LIVE ET/tape delayed PT. Hosted by Mario Lopez ("Dancing with the Stars"), the crews -- representing Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles -- will need to bring their best moves to win over the judges, JC Chasez (N*Sync) and choreographer Shane Sparks ("You Got Served"), for one of the eight coveted spots on the weekly competitive group dance series. Hip-pop sensation Lil Mama has signed on to be the third judge to offer her advice and votes to the competitors.

"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" promises to be one of the most visual and inspiring performance competition shows to ever hit television. It is the first dance competition series for dance crews rather than individual dancers. The top hip-hop crews from around the country will take to the stage floor to earn dance supremacy, a cash prize and touring contract. The weekly series kicks off Thursday, February 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" is executive produced by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, Rob Lee (Bayonne Entertainment), Hip Hop International's Howard Schwartz and Karen Schwartz (the creators of the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships), Harriet Sternberg (Dream Merchant 21) and Joel Gallen (Tenth Planet Productions). David Auerbach and Brooke Karzen are the executives overseeing the project for Warner Horizon Television ("The Bachelor;" "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll"). Drew Tappon and Lauren Dolgen are the executives overseeing the project for MTV.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

Steve Zahn and Allen Covert Give Viewers a Sneak Peek of Their New Feature Film 'Strange Wilderness' When Comedy Central Presents 'Reel Comedy: Strange Wilderness' Debuting Monday, January 28 at Midnight* On COMEDY CENTRAL

-- COMEDY CENTRAL is packing up the camper and taking viewers to the great outdoors with "Reel Comedy: Strange Wilderness." Host Lisa Arch speaks with Steve Zahn, Allen Covert, Justin Long, Peter Dante and Ashley Scott at an animal reserve. Amidst a background of lions, tigers and bears, the stars tell Arch all about their new movie, their favorite animals and their own survival secrets in this all-new special premiering Monday, January 28 at midnight.

Encore presentations air Tuesday, January 29 at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 30 at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, January 31 at 1:30 p.m. and Friday, February 1 at 4:30 p.m.

When the ratings drop for their wilderness-themed TV show, two animal enthusiasts, played by Steve Zahn and Allen Covert, travel to Central America in search of Bigfoot, where they encounter a series of disasters, each more hilarious and dangerous than the last. "Reel Comedy: Strange Wilderness" gives viewers an inside sneak peek at this all-new, hilarious film. Sit down and tune in to the fun!

"Reel Comedy" is COMEDY CENTRAL's series of specials that provide a unique, in-depth look at the hottest new comedic films. Each half-hour special contains COMEDY CENTRAL's own original concept and story, interviews with the stars, and clips from the featured film. Past specials have included the casts of "Wedding Crashers," "Bewitched," "40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Dukes of Hazzard."

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 91 million homes nationwide. COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of VIACOM Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) MTV Networks. COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com. *All Times ET/PT

Source: COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications

Web site: http://www.comedycentral.com/

(Los Angeles, CA) January 22, 2008 - "I am proud to announce that LA Opera will present the return of Verdi's greatest tragedy, Otello," said Plácido Domingo, the Company's Eli and Edythe Broad General Director. "Otello holds a particular significance in the history of LA Opera, because it was the first opera ever produced by the Company, in 1986. I am delighted that British tenor Ian Storey has accepted our invitation to make his American debut in the title role in this production, for he has garnered worldwide acclaim for his performances in the dramatic tenor repertoire roles in major European opera houses. Mr. Storey will be joined by an impressive cast under the leadership of our Music Director James Conlon."

LA Opera's production of Otello opens on Saturday, February 16 at 7:30pm and continues for six additional performances through Sunday, March 9 at 2:00pm. Performances take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012.

Music Director James Conlon conducts and stage director John Cox leads an extraordinary cast in this stunning production of Otello, a co-production with the Opéra de Monte Carlo and Teatro Regio di Parma. British tenor Ian Storey* makes his American debut as Otello. The European press has declared this exciting young artist's Otello is "vocally and dramatically simply brilliant" (Thurgauer Zeitung, Switzerland). Starring opposite Mr. Storey is Chilean soprano Cristina Gallardo-Domâs* in her Company debut as Desdemona and baritone Mark Delavan* as Iago in his Company stage debut. Tenor Derek Taylor as Cassio, mezzo-soprano Ning Liang* as Emilia and bass Eric Halfvarson as Lodovico (who also appears with LA Opera as King Marke in Tristan und Isolde) round out the cast. The production is designed by Johan Engels and the lighting is designed by Simon Corder. LA Opera Associate Conductor / Chorus Master Grant Gershon leads the chorus.

Verdi's transformation of the original Shakespeare play is a powerful drama of uncontrolled human emotion at its most extreme. The evil sadist Iago taunts and manipulates the Moor of Venice, cleverly exploiting his one fatal flaw: jealousy. This musical portrait of Otello's descent into a tortured heart of darkness is explicit in every chilling detail as he destroys all in life that he holds dear. Many of the most fervent Shakespeareans have admitted that Otello's emotional collapse in the opera is more devastatingly real than in the play because of Verdi's overpowering music.

Otello opens on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 7:30pm with additional evening performances on February 21, 24 and March 5 at 7:30pm; and matinee performances on February 27 at 1:00 pm (new weekday matinee), March 2 and March 9 at 2pm. All performances will be held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets to Otello range from $20 to $238, and are on sale at the LA Opera Box Office, by phone at (213) 972-8001 or online at www.laopera.com. For disability access, call (213) 972-0777 or e-mail wehelpyou@laopera.com. LA Opera has launched a new Crosstown Motor Coach Service from the Westside for weeknight performances. Call 213-972-8001 for more information.

Production made possible by a consortium of LA Opera Board Members

Pre-performance conversation with James Conlon hosted by Michael Hackett. Pre-performance lectures are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles.

(* LA Opera Debut)

Otello Opera Talks
Members of LA Opera's Speakers' Bureau will be giving free 50-minute talks on Otello in libraries throughout Los Angeles County. These lively and engaging talks will explore the various aspects of Verdi's tragic masterpiece. Below please find the list of the Otello opera talk dates and locations: